Automotive fuel cell siphon/refill tool

ABSTRACT

A fuel siphon and refill tool for an automotive fuel cell, containing a DC electric fuel pump, AC/DC power inverter and several attachments. A plastic container housing a fuel pump, power inverter and push-button switch draws fuel from a vehicle fuel cell via the engine fuel rail, or fuel filter connection. The pump then pushes the fuel to an approved container through an open outlet hose. A plurality of sources including an AC extension cord, a cigar lighter receptacle, or a vehicle DC battery powers the pump. The tool may also be used to return fuel to the vehicle by siphoning the fuel from the said approved fuel container, and pushing the fuel into the vehicle fuel cell filler neck.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Does Not Apply

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING

Does Not Apply

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is applied to an automotive fuel cell,specifically one with a fuel filler neck restriction, disallowing asiphon hose to be inserted.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Late model automotive fuel cells have a safety feature commonly known asa ‘roll-over ball’ located in the fuel filler neck. This is designed toprevent fuel from escaping the cell in the event of a crash thatinvolves the vehicle leaving it's upright position. In doing so, thissafety feature prevents fuel removal devices, such as a siphon hose frombeing inserted into the filler neck far enough to retrieve fuel.

In the event of a failed fuel pump, which is located inside the fuelcell on almost all late model vehicles, an auto technician must removethe vehicle's fuel cell to access the fuel pump. It is very difficultand unsafe to remove a fuel cell that is full of fuel.

In the event of a contaminated tank of fuel, the tainted fuel must beremoved to prevent damage to the engine.

The inventor of the present invention has recognized a need for a fuelremoval method for the above-mentioned situations.

The operating model for the present invention was built on Sep. 27,2003. It practices frequent, successful use in a GM dealership servicedepartment.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

OBJECTIVE: Create the ability to drain and refill a vehicle fuel tank.

PURPOSE: A tool to remove fuel from the vehicle fuel tank for service tothe fuel pump or sending unit, or removal of contaminated fuel.

CLIENTELE: All dealership service departments, service stations, anddo-it-yourselfers that need to remove fuel from a vehicle fuel tank.

DISCRIPTION: A handheld case containing a fuel pump, AC and 2 DCelectrical hook-ups, outlet hose, inlet hose with quick connect fittingand 3 inlet hose attachments.

OPERATION: Connect the applicable fuel removal attachment to the quickconnect fitting of the inlet hose of the tool. Fuel may be removed viathe fuel filter (2 attachments) or the Schrader Valve located on thefuel rail of all port fuel injected vehicles. Insert the fuel outlethose into an approved fuel container or fuel tanker. Electrical inputmay come from an AC source via an extension cord to the AC port on theleft side of the tool. To use a DC source, pull the retractable cordfrom the right side of the tool. This cord has a cigar lighter portterminal, or a supplied alligator clip attachment may be connected forbattery or jump-start post connection.

Push and hold the push-button switch on the right side of the tool untiltank is empty.

To refill vehicle fuel tank, disconnect fuel removal attachment. Connectthe open-end attachment to the quick connect of the inlet hose andinsert it into the fuel container or tanker.

With the AC or DC power source still connected, push and hold thepush-button switch to return fuel to the vehicle.

VARIATION: This pump may be powered by an AC power supply, such as anextension cord, or DC power from the vehicle battery or cigar lighter.

Fuel may be siphoned from the vehicle via the fuel filter or fuel railSchrader Valve.

APPLICATION: All vehicles.

DISCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

-   -   1. PLASTIC CONTAINER    -   2. LIFT HANDLE    -   3 a. LATCH    -   3 b. HINGES    -   4. PUSH-BUTTON SWITCH    -   5. DC FUEL PUMP    -   6. INLET PIPE    -   7. INLET HOSE    -   8 a. QUICK-CONNECT (MALE)    -   8 b. QUICK-CONNECT (FEMALE)    -   9 a. INLET ATTACHMENT (FUEL RAIL)    -   9 b. INLET ATTACHMENT (FEMALE FUEL FILTER)    -   9 c. INLET ATTACHMENT (MALE FUEL FILTER)    -   10 a. FUEL RAIL    -   10 b. FUEL FILTER (FEMALE)    -   10 c. FUEL FILTER (MALE)    -   11. FUEL INJECTORS    -   12. OUTLET PIPE    -   13. OUTLET HOSE    -   14. APPROVED FUEL CONTAINER    -   15. AC/DC POWER INVERTER    -   16. DC EXTENSION CORD    -   17 a. CIGAR LIGHTER ADAPTER    -   17 b. CIGAR LIGHTER RECEPTACLE    -   18. ALLIGATOR CLIPS    -   19. VEHICLE STATIONARY DC BATTERY    -   20. AC UTILITY EXTENSION CORD

BRIEF DISCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1. is an open overhead display view of the current invention. Thelid of the plastic container (1) is open, revealing the backside of thepush-button switch (4), AC/DC power inverter (15), DC fuel pump (5),inlet pipe (6), outlet pipe (12), DC extension cord (16) and wiring.

The inlet hose (7) is curled and the female quick connect (8 b) end islying near, but not attached to, all three inlet attachments (9 a/b/c).

The outlet hose (13) is curled and lying open.

The DC extension cord (16) is in a retracted position with the cigarlighter adapter (17 a) end lying near, but not attached to, the cigarlighter receptacle (17 b) with alligator clips (18).

FIG. 2. is a right side rear angle view of the current invention in use.The plastic container (1) is exposing the lift handle (2), latch (3 a)and push-button switch (4).

The inlet hose (7) is connected to the vehicle fuel rail (10 a) via thefuel rail inlet attachment (9 a).

The outlet hose (13) enters an approved fuel container (14).

The DC extension cord (16) is extended and attached to the cigar lighterreceptacle (17 b). The alligator clips (18) are attached to the vehicleDC battery (19).

FIG. 3. is a left side front angle view of the current invention in use.The plastic container (1) reveals the external view of the lift handle(2) and the AC/DC power inverter (15), with an AC extension cord (20)lying near, but not attached.

The inlet hose (7) is extended, but not attached to, all three inletattachments (9 a/b/c). Each inlet attachment (9 a/b/c) is near, but notattached to, it's respective component (10 a/b/c).

FIG. 4. is an electrical schematic of the wiring of the currentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A 6″×12″ plastic box, 4″ deep with a pivoting handle on top forcarrying, and a lid that is hinged on the left and a snap clip on theright to keep the lid closed.

On the inside are an AC/DC power converter, a 12-volt DC electric fuelpump, and a push-button switch. Two wires from the power inverter,positive and negative DC current, connect to the respective polaritiesof the fuel pump. A push-button switch interrupts the positive wire. Atwo-wire DC extension cord is spliced in at the respected polarities ofthe power converter and then exits a hole in the lower right hand sideof the box. A steel inlet tube is threaded on to the inlet side of thepump and exits a hole in the top center of the box. A steel outlet tubeis threaded on the outlet side of the pump and exits a hole in thebottom center of the box.

On the outside, the two-blade AC wall plug-in terminals protrude throughan oval hole cut in the upper left hand side of the box. The DCextension cord spans a predetermined length from the lower right handside of the box to an auxiliary socket adapter (such as a cigarlighter). A large round button of a DC push-button switch protrudes theupper right hand side of the box. On the bottom of the box, a pumpoutlet tube comes out of the box and ends. A predetermined length ofclear plastic tube attaches to the outlet tube with a steel clamp. Thepump inlet tube comes through the top center of the box and ends.Attached to the inlet tube, with a steel clamp, is a predeterminedlength of clear plastic tubing. On the other end of the tube is thefemale end of a fluid-sealed metal quick-connect fitting.

There are three fluid hose attachments and one electrical attachment tothe tool, all of which are stored within the box when not in use. Thefirst hose attachment is the male end of a sealed quick-connect fittingattached to a predetermined length of fuel approved rubber hose by asteel clamp. At the other end of the hose is a threaded metal fittingattached by a steel clamp. This fitting is designed to attach to a portfuel injected engine's fuel pressure test port located on the fuel rail.The second is a male end of a sealed quick-connect fitting attached to apredetermined length of fuel approved rubber hose by a steel clamp. Atthe other end of the hose is a threaded metal fitting attached by asteel clamp, which is designed to attach to the engine side of athreaded fuel filter. The third hose attachment is made of the male endof a sealed quick connect-fitting attached to a predetermined length offuel approved rubber hose by a steel clamp. The other end of the hose isa plastic sealed quick-connect fitting attached by a steel clamp, whichis designed to attach to the engine side of a quick-connect fuel filter.The electrical attachment is an auxiliary power receptacle (much like acigar lighter outlet). A predetermined length of a two-wire harnesscomes off of the receptacle. At the other end of the harness, each ofthe two wires attach to a spring-loaded metal retaining clip designed toclamp onto the vehicle's battery post (much like an alligator clip).

1. A siphon system for automotive fuel, said system comprising aportable container housing a fuel pump and control switch, said fuelpump being electrically powered and having a plurality of means forreceiving electrical power.
 2. A siphon system for automotive fuel, saidsystem comprising a portable container housing a fuel pump and controlswitch, said fuel pump being linked to an automobile's fuel system by aninlet tube.
 3. A siphon system for automotive fuel, said systemcomprising a portable container housing a fuel pump and control switch,said fuel pump being linked to an outlet tube for dispensing saidautomotive fuel.
 4. A system according to claim 1 wherein the said fuelpump has means of receiving a plurality of DC electric power.
 5. Asystem according to claim 1 wherein the said portable container housesan AC/DC power inverter, furthermore allowing the said fuel pump meansof receiving AC electric power.
 6. A system according to claim 2 whereinthe said inlet tube has a plurality of means of retrieving saidautomotive fuel from said automobile's fuel system.
 7. A systemaccording to claim 2 wherein the said inlet tube has a plurality ofmeans of attaching to said automobile's fuel system.
 8. A refill systemfor automotive fuel, said system comprising a portable container housinga fuel pump and control switch, said fuel pump being linked to saiddispensed automotive fuel by said inlet tube.
 9. A refill system forautomotive fuel, said system comprising a portable container housing afuel pump and control switch, said fuel pump being linked to saidautomobile's fuel system by said outlet tube.